DISGRACELAND: Bonus Episode – Backmasking and the Death of the Dangerous Rockstar

Airdate: October 23, 2025
Host: Jake Brennan (Double Elvis Productions)

Episode Overview

This bonus "After Party" episode dives into the myths and realities around "backmasking"—the alleged practice of hiding secret, often sinister, backward messages in rock music—as well as the broader societal fear of the “dangerous rock star.” Sparked by the new Disgraceland episode on Judas Priest, Jake Brennan explores high-profile cases from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Ozzy Osbourne, ultimately arguing that the myth of the truly dangerous rock star is dead. The episode weaves through listener calls on heavy metal’s “Mount Rushmore,” musings about Halloween horror, tributes to Ace Frehley, and a digression into Martin Scorsese’s new documentary.

Main Theme

The show investigates the moral panic over backmasking in rock and heavy metal music, tracing the cultural moment when musicians were viewed as genuine threats to public morality and safety. Through narrative, listener interaction, and cultural commentary, Jake Brennan suggests that the danger once associated with rock stars has faded—leaving both music and myth “domesticated…and boring.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Backmasking Controversy & The Dangerous Rockstar Myth

(05:10–13:42)

• Judas Priest Case:
  In 1990, Judas Priest stood trial, accused of embedding backward-masked messages inciting suicide. This followed a broader movement to pin moral panics about violence, suicide, and depravity on rock acts.

  “The idea that rock stars would go out of their way to design backward messaging in their recordings with the intent of causing harm ... is absurd. But ... people believed this to be true.” – Jake Brennan (06:39)

• Other Notorious Examples:

  • The Beatles: “Turn me on, deadman” alleged message on “Revolution 9.”
  • Led Zeppelin: “Here's to my sweet Satan,” said to be heard on “Stairway to Heaven.”
  • Ozzy Osbourne: Sued for “Suicide Solution” allegedly causing a fan’s suicide.
  • Additional acts: National news and court time for Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe), Axl Rose, Billy Idol.

• The PMRC and Senate Hearings:
  Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center led a crusade against explicit music.

  • Frank Zappa, during Senate testimony:

    “If you play any record backwards long enough, you'll eventually hear what you want to hear. It's the same as looking at clouds. People see what they want. It is not scientific and it's not serious.” – Frank Zappa (09:42)

• Cultural Impact:
  Warning stickers and heightened scrutiny didn’t prove intentional malice in music. Jake contends that lawsuits and media panic did succeed in taming public fear of the “dangerous rock star,” shifting that anxiety elsewhere (now, often in hip hop).

• Reflection on Current Culture:

  “The myth of the dangerous rock star hasn't been eliminated, but it has been domesticated ... and I would argue, for better or worse anyway, that that's boring.” – Jake Brennan (12:46)

2. Listener Engagement: Heavy Metal’s Mount Rushmore

(19:38–29:19)

Callers from 803, 978, 507, and via email share personal favorites and stories:

• Ben from 803: Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are the greats, “big and majestic and, well, downright British... Iron Maiden Power Slave tour, I still have nightmares about Eddie…” (19:38)
• Eric from 803: Picks Judas Priest, with “Screaming for Vengeance” as his favorite album; Rob Halford the greatest singer. (23:05)
• Mark from 978: Emphasizes hierarchy—Black Sabbath invented the genre, then Maiden, Priest, and “the Big Four" (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax). (24:30)
• Hammy from 507: Appreciates the show’s in-joke: “He's a bad, bad man.” (25:40)
• Email from 775: Mourns Ace Frehley (“so much better than Kiss, let him be”), shares stories of waiting outside a courthouse during Judas Priest's trial in Reno. (27:09)

Jake’s commentary:

• Shares inside stories about Iron Maiden and Judas Priest’s early touring dynamics, referencing K.K. Downing’s negative view of Maiden’s attitude compared to Def Leppard or AC/DC. (20:47)
• Corrects a previous mistake in reporting Priest’s discography, thanks a listener for pointing it out. (23:32)
• Reminisces about Iron Maiden albums (“Stranger in a Strange Land,” “Wasted Years”), Ace Frehley’s influence on rock guitar, and the impact Priest’s trial had in the 1980s.

3. Teases and Previews: Upcoming Disgraceland Content

(15:16–19:38)

• Robert Johnson “Devil” Myth: Analyzes the myth of Robert Johnson selling his soul; promises a fresh take and immersive sound design.
• Next Week’s Episode: The Exorcist—urges listeners to vote on the scariest movie ever, brings in horror themes for Halloween.

4. Pop Culture Sidebar: Martin Scorsese Documentary

(30:20–36:46)

• Jake’s pick: Martin Scorsese as the “most rock and roll” filmmaker.
• Dr. Zeth Lundy joins to discuss the Apple TV+ docuseries Mr. Scorsese, directed by Rebecca Miller.

  “If you like art, if you like getting inside an artist’s head... I cannot recommend this series enough.” – Zeth Lundy (32:23)

• The doc gives unprecedented insight into Scorsese’s family, upbringing, and how neighborhood life and organized crime at the periphery shaped his movies and worldview.

5. Sports Rant: Shohei Ohtani vs. Babe Ruth

(33:57–36:46)

• Jake marvels at Ohtani’s dominance in a championship series, bemoans old-school sports radio’s inability to appreciate the current era.

  “Come on, man. Dude plays in a completely different era, in a foreign country, in a game that is played in a language he doesn’t speak... Babe Ruth played in the dead ball era at a time when the league was segregated.” – Jake Brennan (36:09)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Blasphemy. Unspeakable acts. Of depravity, animal abuse. We can question the seriousness ... but you can't deny the shocking impact.” – Jake Brennan (07:27)
• “Rob Halford ... was forced into court to testify to his innocence in a lawsuit accusing him of wanting to kill his fans. This would never happen today.” – Jake Brennan (11:32)
• “Today’s rock stars ... or at least the perception of today’s rock stars is safe. And I would argue, for better or worse ... that’s boring.” – Jake Brennan (12:46)
• Listener Ben: “Iron Maiden and Judas Priest ... just hit different... ultimate concert ever was probably the Iron Maiden Power Slave tour. I still have nightmares about Eddie coming at me.” (20:00)
• Frank Zappa (as quoted): "If you play any record backwards long enough, you’ll eventually hear what you want to hear. It's the same as looking at clouds. People see what they want. It is not scientific and it’s not serious.” (09:42)
• “I know you're up there looking down at an incredible legacy. Pour one out for Ace Frehley.” – Jake Brennan, on Ace Frehley’s reported passing (26:49)
• Dr. Zeth Lundy: "They bring the true criminos of it all to the surface...” (32:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 05:10–13:42 | Backmasking & the “Dangerous Rockstar” | | 15:16–19:38 | Judas Priest’s Dave Holland, Robert Johnson myth, Halloween preview | | 19:38–29:19 | Listener calls/texts on heavy metal’s Mount Rushmore, Ace Frehley tribute | | 30:20–32:23 | Jake on Martin Scorsese’s rock’n’roll spirit | | 32:23–33:57 | Dr. Zeth Lundy on the Mr. Scorsese doc | | 33:57–36:46 | Shohei Ohtani sports rant | | 36:46–end | Outro and recap: Judas Priest, more Halloween, Scorsese, community invitation |

Memorable Tone and Style

Jake Brennan’s approach blends reverence for music history with irreverence for the myths and moral panics that surrounded it. He’s conversational, honest about mistakes, interactive with listeners, and determined to shine a light on the buried truths behind the legends.

Listeners are invited to participate, share their stories, and keep the spirit of obsessive music fandom alive—because, as Jake asserts, “this isn’t just content, it’s a community.”

For Further Listening

• The full Judas Priest episode (featuring deeper coverage of the trial)
• Robert Johnson: The Devil at the Crossroads (Rewind episode)
• The Exorcist (upcoming Halloween special)
• Mr. Scorsese: Documentary review via Hollywoodland podcast (w/ Dr. Zeth Lundy)

Contact the Show:
Text or leave a voicemail with your answers to the “scariest movie ever” at 617-906-6638.
Find all Disgraceland archives and exclusive content at disgracelandpod.com or join “All Access” for extras.

This episode: A riotous, darkly funny, and thoughtful exploration of when rock & roll really did seem to threaten the world… at least to some.